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c/o pop Cologne Goes c'n'b - Lessons To Be Learned

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 10:08:13 +0200

This week, I’ve been to c/o pop conference, or, precisely put, I’ve been to c’n’b conference at Cologne. I absolutely have no clue why re-branding something established. Would you consider changing your domain name? Which is quite similar, I think.

It’s true, they changed focus. But it’s much easier for your audience to stick with the same name although it might not entirely match the topics you present.

The result: Yes, I found a number of topics from different branches tackled at c’n’b. Design, advertising, social media - whatever. It was a nice event, and I met a whole bunch of cool people. Yet it was like… where are the musicians from last year’s event? The number of panels dealing with music didn’t decrease much (though definitely there were more non-music people on the panels than before).

But for some reason, musicians were hardly to be found. Actually, a2n experienced that in last year’s event too. I couldn’t help to find that c’n’b extremely suffered from missing attendees active in music creation.

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SXSW: What's Up The Schedule?

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 14:38:13 +0100

Hey… thought it might be a nice idea to post the sessions I’m most probably to attend. Though, there are some German hosted events I will have to be present. Also, you might never know who you are going to meet.

Wednesday

11:00 AM - Derek Sivers - Successful SXSW: The Tao of the Conference
02:00 PM - 1,000 Digital Tools & Strategies: Which 3 Work?
02:30 PM - Martin Atkins interviewed by Whitney Francis
03:30 PM - Yancey Strickler (Kickstarter), Ian Rogers (Topspin) - Crowdfunding Music: Raising Money from Your Fans
05:00 PM - What Comes Next in the World of Marketing Music?

Thursday

12:30 PM - Martin Atkins - Welcome to the Music Business - You’re Fucked
03:30 PM - Simon Wheeler (Beggars) - Promotional Value vs. Licensing Revenue

Friday

11:00 AM - DIY or Sign with a Label
11:00 AM - Rumors of My Demise: Do Artists Need Labels Anymore?
12:30 PM - Evaluating the New Business Models: Benefit or B.S.?
02:00 PM - Lou Plaia (ReverbNation), Zoe Keating - Effective Online Marketing Platforms
05:00 PM - Five Possible Futures for the Music Industry

Saturday

11:00 AM - Tim Palmer, Hugh Pdgham - Producers Adapt and Survive
11:00 AM - Clive Gardiner (We7) - Sustainable Ad-Funded Music Is Not a Pipe Dream
12:30 PM - Paul Dalen, John Doe - The Cultural Significance of Direct-to-Fan Marketing
03:30 PM - Suzanne Vega - Artists: Getting a Digital Ass-Kicking?

… also I think I’m going to see the gigs of Zoe Keating, The Crystal Method, The Like - maybe even The Stone Temple Pilots or Street Sweeper Social Club.

Bad Travel Can't Spoil Anticipation For #SXSW and #a2n

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 09:10:59 +0100

Know what: I f***ing hate having no web in train. For four hours. Four hours I could have been working. Ok. I give up. I’m playing around with my my cell phone now to tweet… then again - it’s no iPhone (and I really wish I would have one). But no, not available with any plan at Vodafone. So I’m still using my old Sony Ericsson P1i. 4 chars on 1 key. Great.

More hate. But I’m in dire need for good vibes. Yes (I’m saying that to myself). Yes, I AM going to enjoy SXSW, Austin. Btw, did I mention first we’re going to spend two days in Miami Beach, prepping up for SXSW? We got a hell lot of things to do to get the maximum out of SXSW for Berlin’s all2gethernow, aka a2n.

We keep on being told that everybody’s looking forward to a2n, having heard great things from other people. Obviously Amanda is doing a lot of recommendation here (big thx to Sydney!) - and another one whom I don’t want to mention yet… he’s even recommending us though he wasn’t around last year (you know who you are - already owe you a lot).

If success at SXSW comes just close to what we have started and drafted for a2n - you damn better get a ticket for a2n.

Now I’m enjoying my ride.

P.S.: As you can see: There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel, which is a tunnel without web nor power supply. Found it.

Berlin's all2gethernow Coming To SXSW - YEEEHAW!!! #a2n

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:06:34 +0100

Hey there… so here we go! all2gethernow 2010, which is scheduled for Sept 6th-12th, will be present at SXSW booths #509/511/513 in Austin (TX). We are joining teams from Cologne, Hamburg and more peeps from Berlin.

All the freshest news on Germany’s musical landscape and what you are about to expect at all2gethernow - just come over and have a chat with gorgeous Andrea Goetzke or myself (if you can bear that). Of course, we are going to provide you with twitter, friendfeed and facebook coverage, pics’n’all. Hashtag: #a2n

You thought a2n 2009 was a great one with just 10 weeks of preparation? Ok. This year we are about go really boom. You are afraid a2n is losing touch with its bottom-up approach? Hell! Don’t you ever dare to… Never. Artists, fans, bloggers, consumers - keep your bags packed and prepare your suggestions.

More details soon.

all2gethernow: Documentation is here.

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:23:51 +0100

Finally. Editing of videos, compiling all material and statements took more time than expected. But it’s - almost - done.

Unfortunately, most statements are available in German only. Yet some of the sessions were held in English.

I’m still missing the sessions on collection societies and DIY marketing, the latter featuring Amanda Palmer and Georgia Wonder. Though one video I’m sure you will enjoy: Amanda Palmer live at Münze Berlin (almost 80 minutes).

Right now, the documentation on Vimeo lists 59 videos. This includes statements from participants right after panels they were involved in as well as full videos of some sessions. Much thanks to the guys from PeopleZapping as well as to Jens Best who was heavily involved into editing the videos. Btw, these videos are the result from our webcasts - please don’t expect HD material shot with the best and most expensive equipment you can find at Amsterdam’s IBC.

Also, you might browse the Flickr group mainly featuring pictures by Robert Eysoldt, Karola Riegler, Sim Sullen and Gaga Nielsen. The type of copyright licence depends on the photographer and the picture.

Do We Need Music Conferences?

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:00:04 +0200

Do We Need Music Conferences?

Music Conferences provide numerous possibilities to make business, network and discuss with your colleagues, share knowledge with your peers and discover new talents and industry trends – so they say. But do Music Conferences really provide added value and do they fulfill what they promise? Does the industry need conferences to develop to the next step? What are the reasons for the increasing amount of conferences all over Europe?

I came across this when browsing this year’s program to Luxembourg’s Sonic Visions festival and - you guessed it - conference.

Obviously, the question is a more rhetoric one. At least I hope so. Too bad if announced panel’s conclusion would be to reduce and cut conferences. Of course, some conferences appear dispensable. Actually, changes in music industry indicate that some sort of conferences has become redundant.

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Germany's Collection Society GEMA Having a Rollercoaster Ride?

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 10:44:12 +0200

Several times I mentioned GEMA (Germany’s collection society) and hassles artists as well as event managers and other people are having in dealing with them. Yet, all2gethernow’s panel on collection societies made me feel some relief in looking forward.

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Farbwerte - Lohnenswerte Perspektiven auf SchwarzRotGold

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 22:40:00 +0200

Es gibt Tage, die ich bevorzugt ohne Medien im Innern meiner Häuslichkeit zubringe. Karneval. Silvester. Abseitig dieser schaurigen Tage kann man entweder der Natur frönen oder sich als unauffälliges Café-Inventar in wunderbar umtriebigen Stadtdschungeln genüsslich dem Menschenstudium hingeben. Nicht so an diesen aufoktroyierten Tagen, die stets im Marketing-günstigen Bundling mit Emotionspaketen einschließlich Nicht-Echtheitsgarantie daher kommen.

Warum der Artikel? Warum heute? Warum innerhalb eines Medien- und Musik-fokussierten Blogs?

Wir schreiben den 3. Oktober, Tag der Einheit, diesmal 2009. Wenn der Tag (glücklicherweise) auch nicht eine solch ausgeprägte Eventcharakteristik hat wie die oben genannten, so tragen die geliebten Medien mit Sondersendungen, MovieFilmFilmMovies, Kurzserien, Dokumentationen, Performances, Ratespielen und Leipziger Allerlei doch das ihnen Mögliche dazu bei.

Ein Tag zum Zurückziehen. In die eigene, solipsistische Welt.

Gäbe es da nicht Veranstaltungen - und hier finden wir wieder den Bezug zur Site-gemäßen Umgebung - die tatsächlich Anlass, Kultur und Charakterstudien zusammenführen. Auf angenehme Art und Weise. Und mit der Option, neue Blickwinkel zu finden.

Farbwerte - eine Ausstellung, geöffnet vom 02.-11.10.2009 in Berlin. Ort ist interessanterweise die ehemalige Staatliche Münze Berlin, wo Reichsmark, DDR-Mark, D-Mark und Euro geprägt wurden.

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all2gethernow at Berlin - a Review (albeit from inside) #a2n

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:47:00 +0200

The concept was to create an event for the creative people. For consumers. For social media geeks. For IT people. For anyone whose interested in discussing the changes in music and culture. It was intended to be a convention for anyone to collectively work on the current situation - all2gethernow.

The first installment of all2gethernow aimed at finding first steps towards solutions - we didn’t expect Harry Potter to attend and make Lord “Where’s the artist’s money?” Voldemort go KA-BOOM. Also, confrontation gets no one nowhere. Starting out, it’s great to get people from different sides talking to each other. To motivate. To initiate. To help people participate.

But, no matter what, a2n will be compared to Popkomm.

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Amanda Palmer: "I'm a weirdo..." #a2n

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:58:00 +0200

Still listening and watching surprise guest Kim “Vermillion” Boekbinder opening the set, there was another sound that made people turn their heads by 100°.

It’s been surely bizarre: Imagine the almost naked architecture of an industrial building’s hall from 75 years ago, and a vaudeville figurine in lingerie playing her ukulele right below the ceiling up on an open stair.

With a quiet yet growing voice she started. No mic at all. Not that she was in need of one.

“I’m a creep… I’m a weirdo…”

This has to be the most haunting and emotional interpretation of Radiohead’s “Creep” I ever heard. While playing, singing, and feeling the song Amanda slowly climbed downstairs with the grace of walking on a huge show stairway and went over to the stage.

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all2gethernow: Amanda Palmer's going for it again - at Berlin! #afp #a2n

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 01:10:48 +0200

[Most recent update from 09/24: Review of Amanda’s concert (incl. appearance of Neil Gaiman).]

Here’s the latest & hottest & absolutely stunning terrific update on all2gethernow: None other that Amanda Palmer, legend of DIY marketing comparable only to Trent Reznor, is coming to all2gethernow. We are in an absolute frenzy she’s willing to do a Q&A session as well as a one-off gig. A kind of impromptu one. True AFP style.

[Update: Going to Berlin?]

For anyone who’d like to go to Berlin to see Amanda but don’t know how, here’s two options. First, you might become a member of all2gether’s mixxt community and search there. Secondly, there’s The Shadowbox Net to hook up with like minded people to share cost of travel.

[Update w/details on location, time etc.]

Date: 17 September 2009

Location for both Q&A session and concert:

Münze Berlin, Molkenmarkt 2, 10179 Berlin. Map (look for #camp)

Details Q&A Session:

Time: 17:45-19:15
Room: “Zählwerk”
Ticket: 1-day only / 12 EUR (incl. access to all #camp sessions on 17 Sept - that includes Wim Wenders, btw)
Tickets available here.

Details on Gig

20:30 - [doors open]
21:00 - Siva. (http://www.myspace.com/sivaofficial)
22:00 - Voltaire
23:00 - Amanda
01:00 - [closing]

Entry for the concert only: free, donations for the artists welcome. Any donation goes directly to the artists.

Retweet heavily - and don’t you dare to NOT be there…

During the Q&A session, she will be joined by Georgia Wonder from UK, another act who chose DIY marketing. Georgia Wonder’s folk goes rock goes pop you can enjoy on Thursday afternoon. It’s worth a listen… you won’t come across a voice like Stephanie’s that often in these casting days.

all2gethernow: 10 weeks of work, 12+ presentations, 50 sessions, no budget.

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:03:29 +0200

The number of exhibitors was said to be low. Due to online piracy.

This is what Dieter Gorny, CEO of German Body of Music Industry (BVMI) told the public when Popkomm (founded by Gorny), Germany’s most important and one of Europe’s largest music business conferences was cancelled on 19 June.

Then, Jana Herwig, addressing Berlin’s music scene blogged from Vienna: “Can’t you do anything about it and make it happen yourself, bottom-up style? #unkomm”. She coined the hash tag paving the way. By 7 July at the founding meeting, all2gethernow was born.

It took us little more than 10 weeks to prepare for an event including festival, barcamp and conference on exactly the same date Popkomm 2009 should’ve been taking place. There’s two camp days packed with about 50 sessions and the conference presenting 12+ speaker slots.

Not everyone was able to fit an appearance into his personal schedule that quickly.

Nevertheless, all2gethernow amongst others features

Melvin Benn (Director of Festivals // Mean Fiddler)
Amke Block (CEO // Audiomagnet)
Julie Borchard-Young (“The Metropolitan Opera Live in HD”)
Andrew Dubber (NewMusicStrategies.com)
Jim Griffin (Choruss)
Paul Keller (Project Lead // Creative Commons Netherlands)
Laurent Kratz (CEO/CoFounder // Jamendo)
Gerd Leonhard (MediaFuturist.com)
Alexander Ljung (CEO/CoFounder // SoundCloud)
Tim Renner (CEO // MotorEntertainment)
Kilian Steiner (Director/Legal Advisor // GEMA)
Wim Wenders

This event has no budget but great sponsors. Anyone of us is in it for the matter.

all2gethernow - a new music and culture convention.

all2gethernow: Invitation for Press Conference on 01 Sept in Berlin

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 13:15:51 +0200

Dear all,

holding the role of the curator of Forum I (“Collection Societies & Rights Management”), on behalf of all2gethernow e.V., I’d sincerely like to invite you to take part in our press conference in Berlin on 1st Sept. respectively alert you to Berlin’s upcoming

all2gethernow

-

a new music and culture convention

16.-18. September 2009

Due to the fact that the invitation for the press conference mainly addresses German visitors, I’d like to forward you to the event’s website for more information.

Basic facts for press conference:

Host: all2gethernow e.V.
Date: Tue 01 Sept. 2009, 11:30am
Location: Meistersaal am Potsdamer Platz, Köthener Straße 38, 10963 Berlin, Germany

Please register for participation at presse@a-2-n.de.

The programme will be online shortly. In Germany, you can get a copy of the printed version with Berlin magazine “Tip” on 2 Sept.

Don’t forget to join our community/wiki where you are able to suggest your own topics and discuss prepared sessions – even if you won’t be able to participate in person.

Tickets (at prices unbelievably low I might say) are available on the ticket sales page.

Thanks for your attention – and I’m looking forward to see you in Berlin. If you’re coming to all2gethernow don’t hesitate to contact me.

Cheers

Wolfgang Senges

Die gute Tat der Piraten - von Kolja Reichert

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 00:42:41 +0200

“The Pirates’ Good Deed” (© Kolja Reichert) wurde im Original unter dem Titel “Die gute Tat der Piraten” veröffentlicht in “Der Tagesspiegel” vom 26.07.2009. Übersetzung ins Englische von Wolfgang Senges. Übersetzung und Veröffentlichung auf ContentSphere.de mit der freundlichen Genehmigung von Kolja Reichert.

Bitte beachten: Anders als die meisten Artikel auf ContentSphere.de wurde die Übersetzung veröffentlicht unter einer “Alle Rechte vorbehalten”-Lizenz von Kolja Reichert.

Deutscher Artikel: Siehe “Der Tagesspiegel” vom 26.07.2009.
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Into the Void of Popkomm 2009: all2gethernow! aka #unkomm

wolfgang.senges@contentsphere.de (Wolfgang Senges) — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:08:47 +0200

As you are reading this, it is old news that Popkomm 2009, (still) Germany’s most widely known music conference, has been cancelled.

Originally, I intended to go (and I really hoped to see Andrew Dubber over there) yet I began to hesitate as soon as I read the Preliminary Programme 2009 as of 11 May.

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